“I know exactly what I’m doing.”
The first person to speak was Sophie.
She had been standing near the display of scarves, close enough to see the entire confrontation.
“I saw Ms. Ashford pull the dress,” she said. “The seam tore after she yanked it. Then she shoved Elena.”
Vivian turned sharply.
“Young lady, be careful.”
Sophie flinched.
Elena noticed.
“Sophie,” she said gently, “you can give your statement to Daniel in the office. You don’t need to address Ms. Ashford.”
Sophie nodded.
Mr. Chen also offered a statement. He had seen the customer seize the gown and heard the threat to fire Elena.
A shopper named Margaret Wells, who had been waiting for a fitting, approached the table.
“I saw the shove,” she said. “I also heard the insult.”
Vivian’s expression changed.
“Margaret, surely you don’t want to get involved.”
Margaret looked at her.
“I think I already am.”
She was in her sixties, with short silver hair and a navy dress. She had been shopping at Marlowe & Finch for nearly twenty years. Elena recognized her from the customer database, but she had never met her personally.
“I’ve always liked this store,” Margaret continued. “I come here because the staff are kind and the clothes are beautiful. I don’t want to see anyone treated like that.”
Vivian’s mouth tightened.
“Then perhaps you should keep your opinions to yourself.”
Margaret turned away.
Daniel asked the witnesses to wait in the adjoining office while security reviewed the footage. He was no longer smiling.
Elena remained beside the tailoring table.
Vivian crossed her arms.
“So what happens now?”
Elena glanced at the dress.
“First, we determine the extent of the damage.”
“And then?”
“Then we decide whether the garment can be repaired in time for your event.”
Vivian stared at her.
“You’re still going to repair it?”
“If the atelier confirms it can be done safely.”
“After all this?”
“The garment is not responsible for what happened.”
Vivian gave a disbelieving laugh.
“You think you’re being magnanimous?”
“No. I think we should separate the dress from the incident.”
Elena looked toward Mr. Chen.
“Could you take it to the inspection room? Please do not attempt any repair until the damage has been fully recorded.”
Mr. Chen carefully lifted the gown.
Vivian followed him with her eyes.
“That dress is worth twenty-eight thousand dollars.”
“I understand.”
“You’ll replace it if it’s ruined.”
“We’ll review the original condition, the inspection records, and the damage. We’ll handle the matter according to the company’s policies and the facts.”
Vivian leaned closer.
“You’re going to regret humiliating me.”
Elena did not move.
“I haven’t humiliated you.”
“You made everyone watch.”
“You chose to do that.”
Vivian’s cheeks reddened.
“I could destroy this company.”